The death toll has risen to 11 with
thousands more displaced after the worst wild fire in Chile’s history unleashes
devastation and catastrophe over a huge area in Central and Southern Chile.

The burn area has doubled over the past two
days, according to the national forestry agency CONAF.

Destroying thousands of homes and consuming
around 130,000 hectares (more than 321,000 acres) of forest and grasslands,
there are still at least 130 active wildfires continued to burn.

High temperatures of more than 35 degrees
Celsius and strong winds also were hindering attempts to douse them.

Photo NBC News

Many of those killed are firefighters
battling more than 100 separate fires, according to government reports.

“We have never seen something of this size,
never in Chile’s history. And the truth is the [firefighting] forces are doing
everything that is humanly possible and will continue to do so until the fires
are contained and controlled,” President Michelle Bachelet said, as she visited
the hard-hit Maule region, earlier this week.

Photo The AtlanticUsing buckets, garden hoses, and branches,
frantic locals have been joining in efforts to tackle the fire to save their
homes, animals and farmland.

“It’s hell. Its chaos,” said Fernando
Calkin, a fire volunteer. “We have been here for 11 days, and it is time for it
to stop. There are some days I’d like to rest, but I can’t stay at home
watching the fire on TV.”